Off to prison for man behind Clark University robberies

WORCESTER 
Two armed robberies earlier this year on the Clark University campus led to a state prison sentence today for an 18-year-old Worcester man.

Bernard Fowler, of 86 East Central St., was sentenced to 3 to 5 years' imprisonment, with 2 years of probation to follow, after pleading guilty this morning in Worcester Superior Court to three counts of armed robbery and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (firearm).

The charges stemmed from robberies that occurred June 9 and June 15 on the Clark campus, according to Assistant District Attorney Sarah Richardson.

In the June 9 holdup, two men told authorities they were walking on campus toward Shirley Street when they were approached by a group of males, the prosecutor said.

One of the men, later identified as Mr. Fowler, pulled a handgun from his waistband, placed it against the victims and stole a wallet and cellphone, according to Ms. Richardson. The victims reported the robbery to campus police, who alerted Worcester police.

Six days later, a man was sitting on a bench on campus with a friend when they were approached by a man who demanded the man's wallet.

When the man tried to ignore the suspect, the man threatened to “pop” him and made a gesture suggesting he had a gun, according to Ms. Richardson. The man handed over his wallet and reported the robbery to campus police, she said.

Mr. Fowler was arrested a short time later after he was identified by the witness and victim and was found to be in possession of the victim's debit card, Ms. Richardson told the court.

Under questioning by police, Mr. Fowler admitted committing both robberies, the prosecutor said.

The sentence imposed by Judge John S. McCann was recommended by Ms. Richardson and Mr. Fowler's lawyer, Michael G. Cashman.

As conditions of probation, Mr. Fowler was ordered to stay away from Clark University, to have no contact with the victims and witnesses in the two cases and to undergo a mental health evaluation and any related treatment deemed appropriate by the court.